AFL rules committee member Kevin Bartlett believes the decision to award a free kick against Scott Thompson during Adelaide's loss to Hawthorn was the wrong one.
The controversial stricter interpretation of the pushing rule was in full swing over the weekend, with numerous incidental pushes in marking contests penalised by umpires across the country.
The most contentious of these involved Crows' veteran Thompson, whose light brush against Hale's arm was penalised, costing Adelaide a shot at goal at a crucial point in the game.
Since the free kick was paid, Bartlett has come under fire for the interpretation of this rule by umpires this season, with North Melbourne veteran Brent Harvey telling Game Day: "That's the slightest touch of all time, in an arm."
But the former Richmond champion insists the umpire in this match simply made the 'wrong decision'.
"It was not hands in the back, and there was no push on the shoulder of the Hawks big man," Bartlett told SEN on Monday.
"There was no double action, no shove and Hale was not put off balance by the incidental contact.
"A player is allowed to stand his ground and that's what Thompson did," Bartlett said.
It remains to be seen, however, whether AFL umpire's boss Jeff Gieschen supports the decision when he examines the round's more controversial calls for the AFL website later on Monday.